3 posts tagged “mucus”

(Wikipedia made me do it!  The chocolate and everything!)

halls

2.  Lindt Excellence Dark Extra Fine Chocolate (85% Cocoa)
You know, for the theobromine.  Wikipedia told me theobromine is more effective in suppressing cough than dextromethorphan (the narcotic in Robitussin). I believe everything Wikipedia tells me.


3.  Ghirardelli Intense Dark Twilight Delight Chocolate (72% Cacao)
Again, for theobromine.  Cacao tastes better than cocoa.

delsym

4.  Delsym Cough Suppressant Syrup
Probably the most effective measure undertaken. Also, the most filled with narcotics.  Really the best thing it has going for it is its lack of being Robitussin.


5.  Twinings Lemon & Ginger Herb Tea
Delicious and magically soothing! I added honey, for full potency.


6.  Leftover Bonine from 3 years ago
Now we're entering the desperation stage. This cold! It's an inflammatory process, right? I shall therefore treat it with an anti-inflammatory agent!  [Little known fact:  Benadryl, Dramamine, and Bonine are all effectively the same thing.] Tastes like Smarties.


7.  Coffee
It's good for everything else, so why not use it on your cough? Maybe it dries out secretions? Caffeine is a methylxanthine, much like theophylline, a drug used to treat asthma. So... relaxing bronchial smooth muscle is probably good for my cough. I've talked myself into drinking tea now, too, since it's a source of theophylline. I shall add English Breakfast Tea to my regimen.


8.  Guaifenesin (aka Mucinex)
Mucus in the head →  post-nasal drainage →  constant irritation of the pharynx →  cough.  Must loosen secretions. Voila! Guaifenesin.


9.  Pizza
An excellent immune booster. I recommend this product highly.

What do you do to get rid of a cold or flu? 
Submitted by ashenflowers.

Sleep a lot. Eat a lot. Specifically, I eat Magic Soup. 

Magic Soup
chicken broth
small type of pasta, like alphabets or acini de pepe or corallini
thyme
black pepper
cayenne pepper
perhaps a smidge of nutmeg

Basically, you cook the pasta in chicken broth, then add spices. It's simple, yet magical. I recommend it highly. (In fact I have mentioned it here before.)

Really, I cannot recommend sleep enough. Mmmmm... sleep.

I am currently afflicted with a sinus infection, which is an illness I abhor above all others. Let it be known, however, that I am blessed with a relative naivete in the realm of illness. I do thank my lucky stars that sinusitis is the most unpleasant form of sickness I have suffered. Not for me your plagues, beriberis, malarias, or moyamoyas. No, I am a certifiable wuss.

My general response to a sinus infection is to curl up into a little ball, wheeze, whimper, and sleep. Sometimes I put a little effort into trying to feel better, thus over the years I have developed my own particular brand of cure. It goes a little something like this:

Anti-histamine: What works for me is loratadine, the stuff in Claritin, Alavert, Wal-itin (I am a huge fan of Walgreen's and their knock-off drugs. I mean, how awesome is Wal-tussin? Wal-dryl? Wal-phed? Those guys kill me.)

Expectorant: You gotta get that shit OUT, yo. I try to find guaifenesin without the attendant pseudo-ephedrine. Now, if you like the jitters and feeling like your scalp is expanding, go ahead and get you some Sudafed. Knock yourself out. Guaifenesin by itself can be found in the expectorant type of Robitussin (or Wal-tussin, of course) or Mucinex.

Spicy foods: I eat Indian food, Mexican food, Ethiopian food... really I eat all the same foods I usually eat. I also make something I call Magic Soup. (Chicken broth, small pasta, thyme, pepper, cayenne, tiny pinch of nutmeg)

Hot liquids: Coffee, I find, is a magical cure for almost anything. Green tea or jasmine tea with slices of ginger root work wonders for the sinus ook. Ginger tea is amazing if you can find it.

Sleep: I like sleep. It's probably good for your health.

You know, just in case you were looking for a way to beat your very own mucus invasion.